PCSD

Who did you meet with today? 

Today we met with LeRhonda Lofton and Brenda Maldonado who both work at a charter school called “Equitas Academy.” Along with them we met Joseph Wilson, Project Director of Blueprint. Lastly we met with Greg Martin, President/Chief Executive Officer at “High Ground Insurance Services, Inc.”

Where do they work? What does the company do? 

​​LeRhonda and Brenda both work at a charter elementary school called “Equitas Academy” soon to welcome new middle school students to their school. Joseph Wilson is Project Director of Blueprint, which is a non profit, real estate development firm that helps build charter schools in areas in need of them. Joseph helped oversee the project of Equitas Academy. Lastly, Greg Martin works at a company called “High Ground Insurance Services, Inc.” and by the name, the company helps with insurance for businesses.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights? 

​​Today I learned that the location where Equitas Academy was built used to be an area where armored trucks that were used to transport money to banks would be stored. Joseph explained that in the building, it was all mostly hollow with one giant vault where the money was stored. It was cool to hear about the process of how the school was built and all the obstacles that they had to find a work around. Some highlights from today was the tour of the school, where they showed us an upstairs playground for the students. It was very cool to see. Another highlight was meeting with Greg Martin to talk about the insurance side of real estate development. It was helpful to hear all about insurance and how Greg called it the most important industry which inevitably, it really is, everyone needs insurance on something.

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?  

Some insights that I got from the field of real estate development is that it can be a very tricky process, and everything has to be done well because they have to stick exactly to the budget. It was cool to hear some work arounds, like finding a way to utilize the amount of power a building is already receiving and making sure that they don’t have to get more power because it’s a long process and they have strict deadlines for projects, wanting to get projects done as quickly as possible, but also done very well. They design buildings accordingly, based on factors like power, or even neighbors in the neighborhood. They always want to make sure that the school is more helpful than harmful.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today? 

What I found the most interesting about the field is that it is all interconnected with multiple fields like business, engineering, construction, architecture, law, insurance, almost everything you can think of really, and all of these fields all work together to keep a nonprofit organization like Blueprint to keep doing what they are doing and I find that amazing and really cool, it’s all one big system.

📸Jonathan Melendez, Summer Intern

Who did you meet with today?

We met with Richard Berliner and Rahel Zewdu, who are both involved in designing the exterior and interior of a project.

Where do they work? What were some key highlights?

They work for a company called ‘Berliner Architects’. The company’s goal is to turn regular buildings into schools. Individuals from the company work together to provide the best service to their clients. They meet their standards while guiding them through the proper steps. 

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?

I discovered that the process of building a school isn’t as simple as it seems. There are many components that go into it. For instance, architects must meet with the clients to discuss the plans and receive feedback. It takes several meetings before they settle on a design because they have to decide on the layout, color, textures and more. 

What did you find the most interesting about the field trip after today?

It was fascinating getting to learn more about architects and what they do on a daily basis. I learned that they don’t only focus on designing the build but also making sure that everything is in order. There are other components that go into it like surrounding areas, traffic control, public transport, budget and supplies. 

📸Victor Cobos-Carreño, Summer Intern

Who did you meet with today? 

Kahlmus – Chief Operating Officer

Akil Manley – Regional Director (Southern California)

Mera Baker Ramos – General Counsel – Lawyer for Blueprint

Where do they work? What does the company do? 

Kahlmus – Blueprint – Helps manage and run Blueprint -> Blueprint helps charter schools have a good learning environment.

Akil – Blueprint – Works mainly in the southern region – Has done projects all over California. – Does charter schools – Been on the team over 10 years

Mera – Blueprint – Helps with all the legal basis – Makes sure the company gets through with the legal side of things – Problem solving – Sets up the deal in order to fulfill the duties

What did you learn today? What were some highlights? 

If its not 1+1=2, don’t touch it – Manley

Be open to your future path and don’t be stubborn believing it will be a straight one way

Talking and soft skills are important for all the fields you may partake in

Trademarks, copy rights, patents. (Helps protect businesses)

Can’t sit around and hope people open the doors for you, you want to open those doors yourself – Get your voice out there

Connect with professionals – Speak up and try getting 15 minutes of their time – Mera

Find your passions – Start with your hobbies – Advocate for yourself

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development? 

Must have an idea of what you want to build – Has to have utility value / a sort of profit within the margins

You have to understand where and what you’re building and the why – in the sense is there a NEED for it or is it just going to sit there and look pretty. – Make sure it’ accessible for the community

Make sure you do your research and there is not any environmental issues

Avoid committing to a site too early because other better potential sites may come about

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today? 

The process it takes in order to find the right terrain for the property and how to make the right decision (pros & cons) whether its best suited for the community or should the client take a different approach during buying the parcel and if so they ask them to extend their geographic boundaries in order to be able to make the project a little more reasonable or accessible depending on the issues with the chosen terrain by the client

Just because you CAN build doesn’t mean you SHOULD build.

📸Juan Amador, Summer Intern

Who did you meet with today?

Today we met John Sun, who is the CEO for Blueprint, and then we also met Eric Sussman, who is someone who sits on the board of directors for Blueprint.

Where do they work? What does the company do?

John Sun, who is the CEO for Blueprint, helps creates facilities for charter schools that don’t have those resources and makes sure they get fair treatment.

Eric Sussman is on the board of directors of Blueprint but is also a professor at UCLA and owns several companies.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

I learned the importance of sending an email correctly, reaching out for opportunities in both career and personal lives, being able to have a great relationship with the people around me both in business and personal, and being able to communicate well. Also I learned how businesses are formed but also maintained while expanding but being able to maintain the ideal and core of that business. I understand the importance of creating a network and how to create a network both using LinkedIn but also just reaching out through email for internship opportunities.

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development? 

Some of the insights I gained from the field of real estate development are that it’s a very long process, but also takes multiple groups of people working together, like the first contracting agreements between the person buying, the developer, and landowner, the process of being able to find people that you can work with and who are trustworthy.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today?

I found it interesting that we were able to have conversations with people who are successful in their professions, and also their advice on how to get into that profession. Also, I enjoyed learning about going through the process of college to internship to work, all the stages and how to get from one place to another. The one thing I found very interesting is what Eric Sussman said about how to find your job with the circle chart that he explained. 

📸: Estrellita Segundo, Summer Intern